site.btaMedia Review: April 23

The results of the April 19 parliamentary elections and the resignation of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov dominate Thursday’s news media.

POLITICS & ELECTION RESULTS

Dnevnik.bg has an article about the news members of Parliament who were elected on April 19. The 52nd National Assembly will largely consist of new lawmakers, given the result achieved by the Progressive Bulgaria coalition, which won a majority of its own. However, some of its representatives are not newcomers to politics, having served as ministers in Rumen Radev's caretaker cabinets and having joined his coalition from other political entities. The renewal of the National Assembly is also due to candidates of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB), who became popular as active participants in the anti-government protests at the end of last year. Due to the poor performance of some contestants suggests that some well-known, long-serving MPs, as well as entire parliamentary groups will not be represented in the new legislature. Compared to the previous parliament, five entities are dropping out: There is Such People, BSP-United Left, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, MECh and Velichie. Of those that made it to the 52nd National Assembly, GERB has incurred the greatest loss of seats: according to preliminary calculations, their group is shrinking from 66 to 39 MPs. The size of Vazrazhdane decreased by 20, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) has eight fewer representatives.

Dnevnik.bg also runs an analysis of the various polling day violations on April 19. According to the publication, Sunday's vote was characterized by a high level of civic engagement and a strong desire to safeguard the integrity of the elections. Observers generally agreed that the balloting arrangements had improved, and that the process had passed more calmly in places where there had been tensions and problems in previous elections. Another consensus among observers who spoke to Dnevnik is that the Ministry of Interior responded more quickly and effectively to the alerts submitted. Some of the violations mentioned in the article include proxies without badges, more than one person escorting disabled voters, scribbled sample ballots, a mayor who wants to enter the polling station during the count, and a man who tried to identify himself by a ticket traffic fine ticket. According to "You Count" (an initiative that this year involved nearly 6,000 volunteers), the most alerts, over 1,200, came after the close of the polls and concerned the operation of the cameras. "The cameras are either not positioned correctly or they are not showing what they should be," Todor Petrov of the initiative told Dnevnik. Observations by another organization - the Democratic Center, which has monitored data from cameras in over 160 sections with the help of artificial intelligence, also show that the video surveillance has not worked as intended.

24 Chasa carries a statistical analysis of voting data. It sets voter turnout on April 19 at 60%, excluding all ballots that were considered invalid. Of over 1.6 million Bulgarian citizens resident abroad, only 16% voted on Sunday. Germany, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Spain, the US and the Netherlands accounted for two thirds of all votes cast. Higher turnout was registered in countries with smaller Bulgarian communities, such as Ireland (39%) and Switzerland (32%). One reason for this low turnout may be legislative amendments earlier this year that restricted the number of voting sections outside Bulgaria. However, the daily points that this is not unusual, as turnout overseas is typically much lower than at home. This may be due to the general lack of interest that expatriate Bulgarians show in Bulgarian politics, which translates in reluctance to vote.  

Trud frontpages an analysis of the Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) coalition by political scientist Ognyan Minchev, titled "CC-DB Coalition: Ever More Difficult and Hopeless". According to the author, "regardless of Progressive Bulgaria's commitment to enlist a qualified majority in the National Assembly, the two parts of the CC-DB will increasingly represent two poles rather than a political whole with a common platform. After April 19, Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev could exploit the traditional left's debacle to put together a new left-of-centre bloc - naturally, under his leadership. Meanwhile, Democratic Bulgaria stands a chance of reaching out to the parts of the former 'democratic community' that remain unrepresented so as to reformat it to the right of centre. Radev's dominance will certainly necessitate a revival of the unity of the 'democratic community' on a pro-European geopolitical basis. As a coalition, CC-DB is a fragile remnant of a period of political crisis and fragmentation in which parties pushing for a comprehensive social and institutional anti-oligarchic reform dwindled to a chaotic scramble for their own survival for a number of reasons. They lacked the strength to effect social transformation, and the discrepancy between their ambitious goals and their actual political potential is a good enough reason for an end to their painful coexistence, which satisfies neither party. Bulgaria is entering a new political era in which previous alliances and rivalries will largely lose their meaning," Minchev comments.

JUDICIAL SYSTEM

Dnevnik.bg reports that caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov confirmed that not only individuals known by nicknames, but also the names of former MPs are included in a list submitted to the prosecution service of 72 persons reportedly involved in vote-buying ahead of the April 19 elections.

Gurov made these comments in an interview with izvanefir.bg, an independent media outlet hosted by Maria Tsantsarova, who read out several names of politicians from a list in the outlet's possession and asked him to confirm its authenticity.

Tsantsarova clarified that the list was not supposed to be made public. Caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev had told her colleagues that it contained alerts against these individuals. Dechev himself was not aware whether the prosecution had verified these alerts or what the results were, she added.

Gurov said that two-thirds of the probes about vote buying had been abandoned by the prosecution service.

Tsantsarova named politicians from various political forces, including Ivan Demerdzhiev (Progressive Bulgaria), Pavela Mitova (There Is Such a People), Dimitar Avramov (MRF), Rositsa Kirova (GERB), Musa Palev (Alliance for Rights and Freedoms), and Yavor Bozhankov (CC-DB). Gurov confirmed that he had seen some of these names on the list but said it was too long for him to remember all of them.

He also mentioned several nicknames, among them the notorious Danail Slavov, also known as "Dido Dankata". It transpired from his remarks that following an Interior Ministry crackdown in Provadia (Northeastearn Bulgaria), where EUR 200,000 were seized, Slavov had left the country.

"The State was working with one hand tied behind its back," Gurov said, referring to the lack of support from the prosecution service in safeguarding fair elections.

He added that the parties protesting most strongly against Interior Ministry actions had effectively recognized themselves as targets of those actions, noting that the highest number of alerts concerned them. "It is strange how people identify themselves with actions against unfair elections. Those who complain the most are precisely the ones who are the subject of alerts," he said. He also pointed out that individuals who had been MPs for decades failed to enter parliament after this campaign, asking rhetorically how they had previously been elected.

According to him, discussion on the issue should take place not with the government but among the parties that include vote dealers in their candidate lists.

Gurov described the resignation of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov as the "26-second syndrome," referring to a lightning-fast meeting of the parliamentary Energy Committee, which adopted a bill in 26 seconds in favour of the then-ruling majority.

According to him, the resignation, which came two days after the elections and a shift in the political landscape, shows how dependent an institution [the prosecution service] is that the Constitution defines as fully independent. "This is worrying because it is clear this is a reshuffle, not a solution to the problem," Gurov said, recalling that the term "regrouping" had been used by Sarafov himself during the dismissal of his predecessor Ivan Geshev.

The caretaker Prime Minister hopes that this is only the beginning and that politicians will elect a new Supreme Judicial Council under clear and transparent rules, as drafted by the caretaker Cabinet. "We are setting a framework of trust, standards, and integrity. The rules on selecting the top figures in the judiciary are extremely important, and there is a responsible majority in Parliament. We hope the job will be done properly so that it is a solution, not a regrouping," he added.

He recalled that shortly before the elections, ministers and he had received warnings intended to intimidate them, stating they were under investigation by the prosecution service and would have to answer questions after the elections. He said he personally does not know what he was being investigated about or what questions he would face but noted a practice previously described by Sarafov: the prosecution service publishes materials through its press office and then initiates proceedings based on them.

Asked whether he had spoken with the newly appointed acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova, Gurov said he had not, but noted that she had been Sarafov's deputy and was nominated by him.

Asked whether he would consider participating in a future government, Gurov said no. He added that he has already received an invitation to teach in the autumn semester and is looking forward to returning to his students.

He also ruled out a future in politics or starting his own party.

Approached point-blank on whether he would accept a nomination for president in the elections due this autumn, he joked that he would do so only if the interviewing journalist agreed to run for vice president.

Gurov hopes that some ministers and the Interior Ministry's Secretary General would be retained in the next executive branch, as they have demonstrated high professionalism and integrity. He is confident that the caretaker cabinet has fulfilled its mandate, as reflected in assessments by both the public and international election observers.

Gurov's interview is also covered by other media outlets.

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On its morning show, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) had two interviews about Tuesday's resignation of Borislav Sarafov as acting Prosecutor General. Approached by the media outlet, former interior and justice minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said that the Bulgarian prosecution service must be guided by the law and seek justice, adding that they now have an opportunity to clear their name and regain public trust. He added that Sarafov epitomized political influence within the prosecution service, which served as a shield for political circles. Asked whether the steps taken by caretaker Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov had contributed to Sarafov's departure, the interviewee replied: "Sometimes desire and action are two different things. Citizens don't expect declarations or desires; they expect realities from everyone involved in politics."

In BNT's second interview, Atanas Slavov, a law expert and former justice minister, said that the prosecution service complies with the powers that be. According to Slavov, replacing the Prosecutor General should be the first task of the new government and parliamentary majority. Asked about Sarafov's resignation, the interviewee replied that he viewed both Parliament and the caretaker Cabinet as an insurmountable obstacle, adding that Sarafov's patrons, GERB leader Boyko Borissov and MRF leader Delyan Peevski, had retreated, making it impossible for him to stay at the top of the prosecution service. Slavov said further that CC-DB will move amendments to the Judiciary System Act, and he hopes that the new parliamentary majority will support it. 

bTV's morning programme also featured interviews about Borislav Sarafov's resignation. Ognyan Damyanov, a member of the Supreme Judicial Council, explained to the TV station that Sarafov did not resign but withdrew his consent to perform the functions of prosecutor general. Damyanov does not see this as an unexpected decision. "The truth is that he had intended to do so since the end of last year. It was not sudden but rather a matter of when it would be done," he said. Damyanov added that constant replacements of the prosecutor general in response to public outcry would not lead to stability, and that a balance must be struck between public expectations and the independence of the judiciary.

In the other bTV interview, PR expert Diana Damyanova noted that Sarafov chose the moment to step down so that his decision would appear somewhat controlled rather than completely compelled. "It was an attempt to leave with some dignity in a situation where trust in him had already been seriously undermined," the PR expert said. For his part, political scientist Svetoslav Malinov explained that the fact a public ultimatum was issued showed the gravity of the crisis. "At some point, institutional logic demanded a reaction, and it came - albeit belatedly," he commented, adding that "this is not surprising but rather the inevitable end of a process". Damyanova commented that the big question is whether there will be genuine reform or just a cementing the status quo. "What is missing at this point is clarity. There is talk about changes, but no specific plans have been unveiled. If there are only personnel changes and no legislative changes, the risk is that the system will remain the same," Malinov said. "The MPs have been mandated to restore justice. This is not just about changing faces; it is about restoring the feeling that there are rules that apply to everyone."

On its morning show, Nova TV interviewed Vladislava Tsarigradska, a member of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian Judges Association and a judge at the Pleven District Court. She stated that lawyer Adela Kachaunova had presented an analysis of the special surveillance devices (SSD) used against magistrates, which included not only wiretapping but also home break-ins, tracking and secret surveillance. "If we compare the number of magistrates and the SSD deployed against them with those applied to all other citizens, it becomes clear that crime within the magistracy is 1,500 times higher," Tsarigradska explained, referring to Kachaunova's findings. The interviewee assumes that Sarafov could be expected to become a "whistleblower from within". However, she urged caution, stating that action against the judiciary should not be rushed "so as not to allow new mistakes and the installation of the next batch of better-packaged notaries in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)". The judge stressed the urgent need to limit the powers of the SJC by law, as their term in office has long expired.

ECONOMY

24 Chasa carries an interview with former finance minister Milen Velchev, who says that the new cabinet should start bold cost-cutting reforms which will be appreciated by the people. Asked about the ballooning EUR 2 billion budget deficit, Velchev said that he is encouraged by several statements from Progressive Bulgaria. He added that its representatives are clearly aware of the challenges facing the budget but they do not succumb to populist talk about raising taxes. Maintaining basic taxes and cutting the budget deficit are not easy tasks but can be achieved with the large credit of trust from voters. Velchev expects the new cabinet to reduce the deficit, increase revenues, and strictly control spending. "Incomes are expected to grow this year, which is spurring inflation. The markets continue to lend to the country at low interest, and this will be the case as long as prudent fiscal policy is pursued." Regarding cutting social spending to rein in the budget, the former minister argued that not all social benefits should be reduced indiscriminately because there are people who need assistance. "It is time for a more serious and general review of the effect of these benefits. This way, the government can assess which ones to keep, which ones to increase, and which ones to reduce," the interviewee said.

Bulgarian National Radio has interviewed with Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria President Plamen Dimitrov who states that the new government should focus on the state budget, energy, education, and healthcare. The trade unionist finds that, despite the absence of a budget and the existence of a caretaker cabinet, the economy is performing surprisingly well in the current challenging global context. First-quarter revenues are nearly EUR 1.4 billion higher than last year, while expenditures are EUR 1.9 billion higher, which is mainly due to capital expenditure on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan. "The new government will inherit many issues not only from the last three months but also from the last three to four years of instability and frequent cabinet changes," Dimitrov said, adding that many hospitals and cultural institutes cannot make ends meet given the current cost of living. "The important thing is that the majority must declare its vision about the economic development of Bulgaria", said the interviewee.

On Nova TV's morning show, caretaker Agriculture Minister Ivan Hristanov commented on the latest anthrax cases in the village of Chernogor in the Silistra Region (Northeastern Bulgaria), which risks spreading to other parts of the country. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has issued an alert about this infection. "We have submitted numerous reports to the prosecution service regarding our inspections of dangerous and substandard food, and a new acting prosecutor general has already been appointed. They should better follow up these alerts and prioritize them," the Minister added. According to Hristanov, the route of the contaminated meat has been traced and the products concerned have been destroyed. The interviewee stated that under previous governments, the control authorities were most likely "on a leash" and did what they were told. He added that this provided a certain "security" that allowed such violations to continue for so long.

RUMEN RADEV

Trud has a profile of Rumen Radev, the former Bulgarian president who is expected to be the country's next prime minister. Having detailed his personal and political life, the daily states that Radev's biography outlines his transition from the strictly structured world of military service to the much more complex and often contradictory environment of politics - a transition built on discipline, education and many years of professional experience. "Radev's presidency has been characterized by a high degree of political activity for an institution whose executive powers are limited under the Constitution. He often used his veto power and publicly expressed his views on legislative and governance issues, increasing the visibility of the presidential institution. During periods of frequent parliamentary elections, he appointed numerous caretaker cabinets, strengthening his influence over the executive branch. Despite his high public profile, Radev maintains a relatively low key about his personal life. He rarely allows his family to be in the media limelight, seeking to strike a balance between his public duties and his private life. Apart from his state functions, he remains interested in aviation, sports and national security issues - areas that stem naturally from his professional background," the newspaper opines.

Segabg.com carries an opinion piece by journalist Svetoslav Terziev, titled "Radev Will Clean his Own Augean Stables". The author comments that Radev is inheriting an oligarchic model based on the one currently in power in the Russian Federation. This oligarchy has "metastasized " across the Bulgarian political system and survived numerous governments and attempts to dislodge it. Terziev doubts the ex-president's willingness and ability to dismantle the oligarchy he campaigned against, as Bulgarian politics is dominated by the oligarchy and criminal networks which are supported by state power. "Many individuals associated with organized crime and oligarchic circles in Bulgaria have endorsed Radev in an attempt to shield themselves from potential repercussions. Radev may remove some figures, but leave others intact," Terziev writes, warning that, without real reforms of the courts, confiscations and imprisonment, any "clean-up" will be superficial.